Reporter: The indelible images of caroline kennedy's childhood. The little girl in the white house hiding under her father's desk sitting beside her mother in bed and if you look closely there is often something else, books. Many filled with poetry. My mother taught mehort pomo poem when I was 3 and I do remember reciting it for my father. Everyone would clap, of course. Reporter: It wasn't until years later that she discovered a poem selected by her brother, a young john it had a twist. Because careless willy, nailed his sister to the door, mother said with humor quaint, careful, willy don't spoil the paint so then I saw it. I just couldn't even believe it. I was so, you know, I just picture us at that age, really made me laugh. Reporter: That laughter, those memories kept alive by the poems and looking to do the same now for other young people in her new book "poems to learn by heart." Hi, how are you? Reporter: Quietly she's been volunteering at new york's public schools as innovative program called dream yard in the bronx using the arts to give students there a voice. Really changed whom as a person. Reporter: You wouldn't have been standing in front of this camera. No. Reporter: So when you hear that, that it's given them a voice. Yes. Reporter: What do you think? I hope that other people their age will look at them and see how words and ideas have the power to change your life. Reporter: For "good morning america," david muir, abc news, new york. "Poems to learn by heart" goes on sale today and when we

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